Application Guide

How to Apply for Michigan Director (Campaigns Department)

at Industrious Labs

🏢 About Industrious Labs

Industrious Labs uniquely combines data-driven advocacy with community-focused campaigns specifically targeting industrial sectors like steel and cement for climate impact. Unlike broader environmental organizations, they focus on transforming heavy industry through strategic policy work and building alliances across labor, environmental justice communities, and grassroots groups.

About This Role

As Michigan Director, you'll lead state-level campaigns to advance jobs, justice, and climate goals in Michigan's industrial sector, requiring you to develop policy expertise in areas like steel and cement while building strategic alliances. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape industrial climate policy in a key manufacturing state while growing the state program through fundraising and team leadership.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with Michigan-based labor and environmental justice partners to align on campaign strategy, analyzing policy developments in industrial sectors like steel manufacturing, and collaborating with the Field Building team to update stakeholder maps. You could spend afternoons developing fundraising proposals for the state program and representing Industrious Labs in coalition calls about industrial climate policy.

🎯 Who Industrious Labs Is Looking For

  • Has 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in advocacy or movement spaces, with demonstrated success in designing and executing policy campaigns using tools like power mapping and strategy charts
  • Possesses deep familiarity with Michigan's state and local agencies, venues, and political landscape, with existing relationships to grassroots groups, labor organizations, and environmental justice communities in the state
  • Has specific experience in industrial sector policy (steel, cement, industrial heat) or closely related climate, labor, and air quality policy development
  • Is a proven relationship-builder who can develop strategic alliances across diverse stakeholders while leading fundraising efforts to grow a state program

📝 Tips for Applying to Industrious Labs

1

Quantify your 10-15 years of experience with specific examples of team leadership and driving shared goals in advocacy campaigns, not just listing job titles

2

Highlight your Michigan-specific knowledge by mentioning relevant state agencies, local venues, or political dynamics you understand

3

Demonstrate your industrial sector expertise by referencing steel, cement, or industrial heat policy work in your resume

4

Show your relationship-building skills by naming specific types of organizations you've worked with (labor unions, EJ groups, grassroots organizations)

5

Include concrete examples of using campaign tools like power mapping or strategy charts in your previous work

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience with Michigan's political and regulatory landscape and why you're positioned to navigate it effectively", 'Examples of successful policy campaign design and execution using their mentioned tools (power mapping, strategy charts, narrative development)', 'Your track record of building strategic alliances across diverse stakeholders including labor, EJ communities, and grassroots groups', 'How your background aligns with their unique focus on transforming industrial sectors for climate impact']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Industrious Labs' specific campaigns and reports on industrial sectors (look for their work on steel, cement, or industrial heat)
  • Michigan's current industrial landscape, key manufacturing facilities, and recent climate/industrial policy developments
  • Key stakeholders in Michigan's environmental, labor, and environmental justice spaces that would be relevant to this role
  • The organization's Field Building team and how they collaborate with campaign departments (mentioned in job description)
Visit Industrious Labs's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a complex policy campaign you designed and executed, specifically mentioning how you used power mapping or strategy charts
2 How would you approach building relationships with Michigan's labor unions and environmental justice communities simultaneously?
3 What's your experience with fundraising for state-level advocacy programs, and how would you grow Michigan's program?
4 How do you develop policy expertise in technical areas like steel or cement manufacturing, and what's your experience with these sectors?
5 Describe a time you had to navigate competing interests among coalition partners and how you maintained strategic alignment
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic environmental advocacy experience without specific industrial sector or Michigan-focused knowledge
  • Failing to demonstrate concrete experience with their mentioned tools (power mapping, strategy charts, narrative development)
  • Overemphasizing federal policy experience without showing understanding of state/local agency functions in Michigan

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Industrious Labs!